Daily Current Affairs MCQ - May 14, 2021 - UPSC MCQ

The Government of India, in consultation with the RBI, decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds FY22. The Sovereign Gold Bonds will be issued in 6 tranches from May 2021 to September 2021.
i. It will be sold by RBI through recognised Stock Exchanges, Scheduled Commercial banks (except Small Finance Banks & Payment Banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices.
i. Maximum purchase limit - 4 Kgs for individual & Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) and 20 Kgs for trusts and similar entities for a FY (April-March)
iii. Tenure - 8 years with exit option after 5th year iv. Interest rate is fixed at 2.50% per annum

K.R. Gouri Amma (Kalathilparambil Raman Gouri Amma) was known as the ‘Iron Lady’ of Kerala. She was the lone woman member of Kerala’s first Cabinet and also the member of the world's first democratically elected Communist government cabinet in 1957. She worked as a Revenue Minister and oversaw the implementation of historic Land Reform Bills that marked the beginning of feudalism in Kerala. Why in the News? K.R. Gouri Amma who was 102 years old, recently passed away in Kerala due to age-related ailments.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed veteran British diplomat Martin Griffiths as the new UN humanitarian Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator(Chief). He succeeds Mark Lowcock, a Briton who has served as undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator for four years.

The state of Haryana has recently carried out a ‘Monkey Census’ as part of the “Wildlife Census of Haryana-2021”. The whole exercise is conducted under the ‘2021 Wildlife Census of India’. The census exercise was conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India. The ‘Monkey Census’ saw the participation of the local people, under which 6,000 monkeys were spotted by 600 people in three days. The census was carried out by employing a mobile application called “Wildlife Census Haryana” designed by the Wildlife Institute of India. Why in the News? The census was carried out to ascertain reasons for increased Human-Monkey conflicts in the state.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, inaugurated "CGTeeka" web portal over a virtual platform from Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The 'CGTeeka' portal will make the process of registration for the COVID-19 vaccination convenient for every section of society. The portal was developed by the Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHIPS).

The theme of ‘National Technology Day 2021’ is ‘Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future’. The day is observed annually on 11 May to underscore the accomplishments of scientists and engineers in the field of science and technology and mark the conduction of the first successful nuclear test in Pokhran. On 11 May 1998, the Shakti-I nuclear missile was successfully test-fired by India at Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. Following the test, India became a nuclear state and the sixth nation to join the ‘nuclear club’.

The ‘World Health Organisation’ (WHO) has started the ‘Together For India’ initiative. The initiative aims at raising funds for India to support the fight against COVID-19 pandemic unfolding in the country. As part of the initiative, WHO will assist India in providing oxygen, medicines and personal protective equipment. About the ‘World Health Organisation’: It is a specialized agency of the United Nations and was founded in April 1948. It is currently headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and is being headed by Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The “Green Urja Award 2021” has been awarded to the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA). The award recognises the efforts of IREDA for being the leading Public Institution in Financing Institution for Renewable Energy and the pivotal role played by IREDA in Green Energy Financing. The award is conferred by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC). About the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC): It was established in 1925 and headquartered in Kolkata. It is also the only Chamber from India which has been conferred with the first prize in the World Chambers Competition in Quebec, Canada.

Haryana conducted a three-day Monkey Census as a part of a larger Wildlife Census for Haryana-2021. Over 600 people throughout Haryana participated in Monkey Census and documented approximately 6,000 monkeys on a mobile application by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) titled ‘Wildlife Census Haryana’.

FIRA is a document issued by banks to exporters as a proof of payments received from abroad. It is a proof of receipt of export proceeds in foreign currency received from abroad. American Payment company PayPal has introduced an automated process to obtain the monthly Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA). It is a cost-free and easy process to download their monthly digital FIRA issued by the bank. This initiative aims to empower Indian MSME exporters.